Three-year-old Dolly Shivani Cherukuri on Tuesday made it to the India Book of Records by punching 388 points in the recurve segment in two distances - seven and five metres - at the Volga Archery Academy here.
Shivani, the sister of late Indian archery coach Cherukuri Lenin, in the presence of judges from the India Book of Records and the Archery Association of India (AAI), was in her elements as she went ahead, releasing 72 (36 each) arrows at the target face.
“Shivani scored 199 points in seven-metre distance where the size of the target face was 122 cm. Next, she took up the challenge in five-metre distance where the target face was 88 cm, and she scored 189 points,” said Shivani’s coach Laguri Chandrasekhar.
India Book of Records adjudicator and chief editor Biswaroop Roy Choudary said Shivani was undoubtedly a prodigy. “We wanted her to score 200 points in both distances. But, she registered almost double the score without much sweat,” he added.
Shivani, who was a picture of concentration, relaxed for five minutes only to walk back with renewed vigour.
Milestone Unmindful of the din, the little one went ahead in a clinical manner to create her first milestone. Mr. Choudary said the 388-point feat by Shivani was an Asian record. “At an age when children prefer to play with toys, Shivani, who is less than three years, is exceptional.
“She has all the makings of a top-class archer,” he added. Mr. Choudary handed over a trophy, medal and a certificate to Shivani.
Three-year-old shooter enters India Book of Records for her skills in archery
